Big Picture
Another chapter will be added to the CPL’s fiercest rivalry when the two teams face each other at Providence in Sunday’s final. Former Amazon Warrior Nicholas Pooran is in his first season as TKR captain, leading their push for the title, with 425 runs in 12 innings. He has been peaking at the crunch, with scores of 90* and 50 in the Eliminator and Qualifier 2, respectively.
Amazon Warriors and TKR have met in two finals previously. In 2018, in Tarouba, under Dwayne Bravo’s captaincy, TKR had outplayed Amazon Warriors, with Bravo later suggesting that a video of Guyanese fans trampling on a Trinidad & Tobago flag was extra motivation for TKR.
Five years later, Amazon Warriors demolished TKR at Providence under Imran Tahir to win their maiden title. Bravo is no longer an active player; he has taken over as TKR’s head coach, while Tahir, 46, continues to light up the CPL with his variations and celebrations.
Tahir has formed a potent spin combination with Moeen Ali and Gudakesh Motie, the supremely talented left-arm fingerspinner who can also bowl left-arm wristspin to left-hand batters. Having also won the Global Super League (GSL) earlier this year, Amazon Warriors will be hungry to add another title to their cabinet.
TKR also have a deadly spin attack, with Pakistani mystery spinner Usman Tariq providing a point of difference. Sunil Narine and his protege Akeal Hosein need no introduction. The battle between the two spin attacks could have a major influence on the result.
While TKR face a quick turnaround on Sunday, having just played Qualifier 2 on Friday, Amazon Warriors head into the final after a three-day break.
Form Guide
Guyana Amazon Warriors: WWWLL (last five completed matches, most recent first)
Trinbago Knight Riders: WWLLL (last five completed matches, most recent first)
In the Spotlight
Once regarded as a Test and ODI batter, Shai Hope has reinvented his T20 batting, earning gigs in T20 leagues worldwide, including the IPL and BBL. While the top order has been hit-or-miss for Amazon Warriors, Hope has been a stable presence at No. 3, topping the run charts with 479 runs in 11 innings at an average of over 50 and strike rate over 130.
It’s not often that a spinner outshines Narine, but Usman Tariq managed that in both the Eliminator and Qualifier 2. Tariq, primarily an offspinner, comes to a near-complete halt in his delivery stride, making him particularly difficult to pick. He also bowls at the death in what is his first T20 stint outside the PSL.
Team News
Amazon Warriors are unlikely to change their XI unless Shamar Joseph is fit, in which case he could replace Hassan Khan.
Guyana Amazon Warriors (probable): Ben McDermott, Quentin Sampson, Shai Hope (wk), Shamarh Brooks, Shimron Hetmyer, Moeen Ali, Romario Shepherd, Dwaine Pretorius, Hassan Khan/Shamar Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Imran Tahir (capt)
TKR may continue without Mohammad Amir if he remains unfit; USA’s Saurabh Netravalkar is expected to play as his replacement.
Trinbago Knight Riders (probable): Alex Hales, Colin Munro, Nicholas Pooran (capt & wk), Keacy Carty, Darren Bravo, Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell, Akeal Hosein, Sunil Narine, Saurabh Netravalkar, Usman Tariq
Pitch and Conditions
Spin has dominated at Providence this season and will likely continue to play a major role. Some morning showers are forecast, but evening conditions should be fine.
Stats and Trivia
Amazon Warriors have faced TKR 14 times at Providence, winning 10 and losing 4.
In the 2014 Super Over, Narine—playing for Amazon Warriors—bowled a maiden to Ross Taylor and a young Pooran.
Earlier this week, Narine (133) surpassed Bravo (129) to become the top wicket-taker in CPL history.
Tahir is one wicket away from 150 for Amazon Warriors in all T20s, with 20 wickets this CPL at 15.60 average and 7.09 economy.
TKR are the winningest CPL team, with four titles, last in 2020.
Quotes
“Look, it’s a great feeling to be in the final in front of our home crowd. Playing in Guyana is something very special. We have been up and down this season, but always a good feeling, and to be a champion, we need to be very hungry.”
Amazon Warriors captain Imran Tahir
“It’s really important to come together in a tournament like this, especially with the type of players we have in our team. The last couple of years has been challenging for us, and especially here in Guyana, it hasn’t been on our side. But this group has been really amazing.”
TKR captain Nicholas Pooran
Source: ESPNcricinfo.
